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E-PPAN Summit Raises Concerns over Public Sector Revenue Generation

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Mrs. Onajite Regha, chief executive officer of E-PPAN,
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Government decision makers and industry experts meeting at the “E-Payment for Government Summit ” are set to examine the global and regional developments on how governments are transforming key services they provide and returns from the public.

Entitled “Increasing Government Revenue Generation using E-Payment Services”, the two-day forum set to hold on the 8th – 9th of July, 2014 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, is organized by the Electronic Payment Providers of Association (E-PPAN).

The Summit is aimed at tackling the challenges that face governments in generation of revenue and delivering efficient e-services to a technology savvy and demanding public.

The summit will bring together industry experts, professionals and key government bodies responsible for development of e-government in the country.

They will shed more light on how to implement the most technological advances and solutions in the most efficient ways for enhancement of government services as well as to drive the efficiency of the G2P (Government to People) services through e-payment platforms.

Mrs. Onajite Regha, chief executive officer of E-PPAN, stressed the importance of the summit as it will provide the important decision-makers delegates with the sufficient enthusiasm needed for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to increase Internal Revenue.

This in turn will further drive the adoption and implementation procedures for an end-to-end e-payment as well as support the attainment of the core objectives of the National Payment Systems Vision 2020, which is to ensure the availability of safe and effective mechanisms for conveniently making and receiving all types of payment from any location and at any time, through multiple channels.

“According to Central Bank of Nigeria, only 209 MDAs out of over 600 have fully complied with Federal Government’s directive that all payments MDAs should be made electronically” explained Regha.

She added: “The E-Payment for Government Summit has received overwhelming responses. Experts speaking at the forum are from prominent Industry stakeholders, federal and regional government authorities, network and technology providers and consultants specialized in e-Government initiatives”.

The E-PPAN Boss pointed out that the forum opens with discussions on the global trends in expanding internally generated revenue using e-payment, and goes on to highlight several vital topics including: Leveraging on strategic private partnerships in expanding government payment Citizen Happiness.

She described this as the Formula for Government Success, Automating disbursement and collection process for efficient revenue management, Creating Additional values on e-payment to drive citizen’s excitement, Identifying the role of citizen identification as a driver for revenue generation  and delivering outstanding e-services to the public.

In addition to discussions on the methods of developing a secured payment platform for government bodies, reviewing the state of infrastructure, establishing a higher citizen-centered approach to e-Government portals, creating an effective e-Governance strategy to align government activity with citizen demands and the method of examining e-Governance and Information Security from an international perspective.

The executive secretary lauded the efforts and continuous support the summit has received from various industry stakeholders and government bodies, and their keenness in participating to share their expertise and pioneering work in e-government, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS), Unified Payment Services, iTEX integrated Services, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and CitiSERVE.

Speaking on the Summit, Mrs Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology said: “We are pleased to collaborate with E-PPAN on this summit, as it provides a valuable platform to exchange local and regional experiences in the fields of technology. We welcome and encourage all top government delegates from federal and state MDAs and local government councils to participate in the event, as we are certain that their participation will enrich the discussions and contribute to the success of the summit.”

 


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E-Business

NITDA Advocates AI, Security Integration for Sustainable Development

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Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasised that integrating intelligence, security, and sustainability is critical to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and global competitiveness.

Inuwa made the remarks on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the 19th International Conference (CONNOVATE 2025) of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), themed “Intelligent, Secure, and Sustainable Innovations for a Connected World.”

Represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of E-Government and Digital Economy Development, Inuwa said the three elements were now indispensable drivers of national progress. He highlighted the need for their convergence to unlock new opportunities in Nigeria’s technology sector, citing Estonia’s X-Road platform — which enables 99% of government services online — as a global model.

“In Nigeria, trust is the ultimate currency in our high-stakes digital environment, where scams and cybercrime are prevalent. Security builds and protects this trust,” Abdullahi said.

He stressed that while security provides the foundation, intelligence builds the structure, pointing to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics as tools for addressing Nigeria’s complex challenges. Warning that “innovation without security is unsustainable,” he likened it to “a high-performance race car without brakes.”

The DG urged the next wave of Nigerian startups to go beyond digitising existing processes to creating new value, citing AI-powered wealth management and ML-driven remote diagnostics as examples.

He further highlighted the various Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) initiatives supporting this vision, including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, the national digital identity programme, interoperable payments, and human capital initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programmes.

Inuwa cited example with International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) President, Antony Wong, that called for stronger protection and strategic use of data in the Global South to safeguard indigenous knowledge. He stressed the importance of legal clarity on data ownership as Nigeria’s cultural heritage in medicine, ecology, and art is digitised and incorporated into AI systems. Wong praised Nigeria’s role in the recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

Delivering his welcome address, the NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference would serve as a platform for IT professionals to address critical issues, including intelligent systems, fintech, sustainable energy, and innovations in agriculture, health, education, and national planning.

“This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss recent innovations, trends, and solutions for improving technological systems,” Sirajo said.

The week-long event includes plenary sessions, a doctoral consortium, a youth and entrepreneurship forum, the Fellows Forum, the Annual General Meeting, an IT quiz competition for students, and an induction ceremony for new members. It will conclude with the election of new national executives, a dinner, and an awards night honouring contributions to the ICT sector.

 


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AfDB Adopts AI to Fast-track Africa’s Development Blueprint

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) is betting big on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for delivering Africa’s ambitious Agenda 2063.

With hands-on training in tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, the Bank believes the results could redefine how the continent plans, measures, and delivers its development goals.

Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the AfDB has provided technical and financial support to the 5th annual training workshop for African Union member states, focusing on the use of AI to track and implement the second ten-year plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063.

The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was co-organised by the African Union Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation.

Participants from across the continent rolled up their sleeves for hands-on training with emerging AI platforms like Ailyse, Google AI Studio, and Perplexity.

The goal of Africa’s multilateral development finance institution is to turn complex development data into actionable insights that can drive smarter decisions, faster interventions, and more accountable governance.

AbibuTamu, lead programme co-ordinator at the AfDB, said AI was now an indispensable tool for Africa’s future.

“These tools are not only revolutionizing how data is collected, analysed, and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,” Tamu told delegates.

Agenda 2063, dubbed “The Africa We Want,” is the African Union’s 50-year blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The second 10-year plan prioritises industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable livelihoods.

With AI now in the mix, African policymakers can track progress in real-time, spot bottlenecks before they choke projects, and reallocate resources where they are needed most.

The AfDB’s backing underscores a broader strategy of boosting both human and institutional capacity that propels African states to harness the digital revolution.

Beyond technical skills, the Lusaka workshop doubled as a peer-learning platform, with countries sharing real-world success stories on integrating AI into national planning and reporting.

“If Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term roadmap, this AI training is about upgrading the continent’s GPS that ensures leaders not only know the destination, but also have the intelligence to navigate every twist and turn on the way,” said Tamu.


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Firm Shares Tips for Safer Remote Working

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It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.

Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.

This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.

Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.

Use a VPN for secure connections

A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.

Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data

Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.

With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.

Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.

Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.

Final tips for a secure workation

Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.

Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.

For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.

By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.

 


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